How to be an Editor’s Best Friend – And Take Feedback

Extraordinary writing exists because of extraordinary rewriting.

Contrary to popular belief, the right words don’t just come forward ready, willing and able. They are discovered, fought for, and captured. Writing, as you know, is hard work.

Your editor stands alone as the biggest ally in this battle for the correct and powerful use of language. Embrace him or her and the feedback given to you.

Yes, feedback comes at a cost. It sometimes chips away at your confidence as a writer, not to mention your word choices, organization, and writing style.

However, editors give out priceless feedback and advice more often than not. They represent the outsider, the person who doesn’t possess such a huge vested interest in every single word – like you.

You need them.

And yes, taking their compliments remains easier than absorbing their criticisms. But that constructive criticism can make your writing shine brightly instead of faintly.

So here are three ways to take an editor’s feedback better the next time you face the red pen:

Be open to new ideas. The correct way to write often has many paths to success. If your editor suggests reworking this or that, or just plain scrapping a passage, give it a try. It might be the right road or lead you to the perfect one.

Learn to love drafts. No one can churn out perfect writing on the first try. That’s why people refer to writers as artists. So much of an artist’s job relies on patience and persistence, so embrace those principles as you write toward your final piece. The more drafts, the more patience and persistence you show, the greater the payoff in the end.

Embrace change. You must see a theme developing here. Great writing comes from embracing change – in your own writing and beyond. Good editors will push your boundaries, and that means reaching for new ways of writing. Change a little with each piece and it won’t be so painful.

Feedback Form photo by Dominik Gwarek.